stinction; but still they were called “hand-rammers.”

“少 ——！” 它們在人行道上被顛簸時說道。“少 ——！” 它們差點就把整個 “少女” 這個詞全說出來了；但它們突然打住，把最後一個音節嚥了回去；因為經過深思熟慮，它們覺得抗議有失尊嚴。

“mai —!” they said, as they were bumped upon the pavement. “mai —!” and they were very nearly pronouncing the whole word “maiden;” but they broke off short, and swallowed the last syllable; for after mature deliberation they considered it beneath their dignity to protest.

但它們總是互相稱呼對方為 “少女”，並且讚美過去的好時光，那時一切事物都有其恰當的名稱，是少女的就被叫做少女。

but they always called each other “maiden,” and praised the good old days in which everything had been called by its right name, and those who were maidens were called maidens.

它們就保持原樣；因為那把錘子真的和年輕些的那個解除了婚約，因為除了要一個真正的少女做新娘，別的什麼都不合他的意。

And they remained as they were; for the hammer really broke off his engagement with the younger one, for nothing would suit him but he must have a maiden for his bride.